ANKARA – Turkey’s supreme election body yesterday reversed a decision that had barred several Kurdish candidates from running in a parliamentary vote in June – a move likely to ease violence that has killed one protester and left dozens wounded.
The high election board voted unanimously to allow six of seven candidates, backed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, to run for parliament in June 12th elections. The board had barred a total of 12 candidates. It accepted arguments that the six candidates were not a threat to the public if they ran for office.
The board’s initial decision to bar the candidates from the ballots sparked outrage in the mainly Kurdish southeast, where protesters attacked banks and police with firebombs and stones.
A demonstrator was fatally shot in the chest on Wednesday and three protesters were wounded during clashes with police in the southeastern town of Bismil.
Thousands of people turned up for his funeral yesterday as prosecutors launched an investigation into the killing. Kurdish politicians have accused the police of firing at protesters. Dozens of demonstrators and police officers have also been injured in clashes.
Kurdish politicians welcomed the decision but regretted the loss of life and injuries in the southeast.
“The decision has been tainted with blood,” Sirri Sakik, a Kurdish lawmaker, told HaberTurk television.
“The result is a benefit to democracy but the price has been heavy.”
Independent candidates hope to increase the number of Kurdish-held seats in parliament as Turkey’s leading pro-Kurdish political movement, the Peace and Democracy Party, is likely to benefit from the return of candidates it supports to the race.
– (AP)